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Bible Pathways - Oct. 5, 2010

A lot of questions! It is important to know the answers. What does Jesus say (Matt. 12:1-14)? The true family of Jesus (12:46-50).

Jesus was confronted by the Pharisees who criticized His disciples, saying: Behold, Thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the Sabbath day (Matt. 12:2). Jesus responded: I say unto you, That in this place is One greater than the Temple. . . . For the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath day (12:6,8). All of the Old Testament worship system foreshadowed the life and ministry of Jesus Christ as well as His Church. The Old Testament Israelite had been commanded to keep the last day of the week, the Sabbath, as a day of rest to commemorate God's work of creation in six days (Ex. 20:9-11). But Jesus said He is not only far superior to the Temple, but to the Sabbath day of rest, and is to be worshipped far above all else.

The Sabbath, as well as all Jewish worship days, which were also Sabbaths or holy convocations, were merely a shadow of things to come (Col. 2:17) The early Church recognized this and, in commemoration of Christ's resurrection, upon the first day of the week . . . the disciples came together to break bread (both physical & spiritual) (Acts 20:7). The Apostle Paul was led to write: Upon the first day of the week (no longer on the day of rest) let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings (of tithes and freewill offerings) when I come (I Cor. 16:2).

Most Christians assemble to worship the Lord Jesus Christ on the first day of the week. Jesus rose from the grave on the first day of the week (Mark 16:9). In this way, we honor Him as Lord of our lives by putting Him first in every week. The Sabbath day of rest has its counterpart in the New Covenant that in all things He might have the preeminence (first place). . . . Let no man therefore judge you . . . in respect of an holyday (festival), or of the new moon, or of the Sabbath days: Which are (all) a shadow of things to come (Col. 1:18; 2:16-17).

The Passover blood commemorated Israel's freedom from Egyptian bondage. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin (I John 1:7).

At Passover, when He instituted the Lord's Supper, Jesus took bread, and blessed (gave thanks to God for) it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is My body. And He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink . . . all of it (from it, all of you); For this is My blood of the New Testament (Covenant), which is shed for many for the remission of sins (Matt. 26:26-28).